The TRACES (TDS Reconciliation Analysis and Correction Enabling System) portal is an essential tool for managing your TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) activities in India. One of the most important features of the TRACES portal is the ability to track the status of your TDS challans. A challan represents the payment of taxes that have been deducted at source and deposited with the government. Ensuring that these payments are properly recorded is crucial for maintaining accurate tax records and for filing your Income Tax Return (ITR).
In this blog, we will guide you on how to view the challan status on the TRACES portal.
What is a TDS Challan?
A TDS Challan is a document that reflects the payment of TDS to the government. When an entity or individual deducts tax at source, they are required to remit the deducted amount to the Income Tax Department using the appropriate challan (e.g., Challan 281 for TDS payments).
The challan status on TRACES will allow you to verify whether the TDS you have deducted has been successfully deposited into the government’s account. This is crucial to ensure that there are no discrepancies when it’s time to file your tax return.
Steps to View Challan Status on the TRACES Portal
Here’s a step-by-step guide to viewing your challan status on the TRACES portal:
Step 1: Visit the Official TRACES Portal
To begin, go to the official TRACES portal by typing the following URL in your web browser:
This will take you to the homepage of the TRACES portal.
Step 2: Login to Your Account
Once you're on the TRACES portal homepage, you’ll need to log in using your credentials.
For Tax Deductors (for example, employers, financial institutions, etc.), log in using your TAN (Tax Deduction Account Number).
For Taxpayers (individuals whose TDS is deducted), you can log in using your PAN (Permanent Account Number).
Enter your User ID, Password, and Captcha Code. After entering the correct credentials, click on the Login button.
Step 3: Navigate to 'View Challan Status' Section
Once you are logged in to the portal, look for the ‘View Challan Status’ option. This option may appear under the main dashboard or under the ‘TDS Return’ or ‘Tax Credit’ sections, depending on your user interface.
If you are logged in as a deductor, look for the ‘Challan Status’ option under the ‘Compliance’ or ‘TDS Return’ section.
If you are a taxpayer, you may find this under the ‘Tax Credit’ section, where you can check the status of the challans related to the TDS deducted by your employer or other deductors.
Step 4: Enter the Relevant Details
To view the challan status, you will be required to input the following details:
Challan Identification Number (CIN): This number can be found on the challan receipt.
Assessment Year: Select the year for which the TDS payment was made.
Tax Deduction Account Number (TAN): This is the TAN of the entity that deducted the TDS.
Fill in the details as required and click on the ‘View Status’ button.
Step 5: View the Challan Status
After you click on ‘View Status’, the system will display the challan details along with its status. The status will indicate whether the payment has been successfully processed by the Income Tax Department or if there are any issues that need to be resolved.
The status could be one of the following:
Successfully Processed: The TDS payment has been successfully received and processed.
Pending/Unmatched: There may be discrepancies, such as mismatch in the details, which may need to be corrected by the deductor.
Failed: The payment has failed due to various reasons, such as an incorrect bank reference number, or the bank did not successfully remit the payment.
If there is a discrepancy or mismatch, the portal might provide instructions on how to correct it.
Step 6: Download Challan Details (Optional)
If you need to keep a record of the challan or need to take printouts, you can download the challan details in PDF format.
Click on the ‘Download’ or ‘Print’ button to save the challan details for your records.
What to Do if There’s a Mismatch or Error in Challan Status?
If there is a mismatch or error in the challan status, you can take the following steps to resolve the issue:
Reconcile the Challan Details: Check the details on the challan, such as the TAN/PAN number, amount, and assessment year. Ensure that they match the details entered in the TRACES portal.
Request Correction: If there are discrepancies in the challan or TDS return, you may need to request a TDS correction through the TRACES portal. You can do this by submitting a request for rectification and providing correct details.
Contact Your Bank: If the status shows that the payment has not been processed, contact your bank to verify if there was any issue with the payment remittance.
Check with the Deductor: If you are a taxpayer and see a mismatch in the challan status, reach out to the deductor (for example, your employer) to ensure that the TDS payments have been correctly filed.
Conclusion
Viewing the challan status on the TRACES portal is a critical step in tracking the TDS payments that have been made to the government. By following the above steps, you can easily check whether the TDS has been successfully deposited and reconcile any discrepancies in your tax records.
If you face any issues with the challan status or need further clarification, don’t hesitate to contact TRACES support or consult a tax professional. Ensuring accurate records of your TDS payments is essential to avoid penalties, ensure proper tax credit, and file your income tax return correctly.
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